WAR-TIME RESTRICTIONS

Waipawa Mail, Volume LXVIII, Issue 45, 3 January 1940, Page 1

WAR-TIME RESTRICTIONS

NEED FOR CARE WIDE POWERS OP THE STATE. After four months of war, New Zealanders have now more or less settled down to a complacent acceptance of wartime conditions, but the private life of the average person has been so little affected in this little country, set amidst the safety of the Pacific, that the almost plenary powers which have been taken by the Government would come as a shock to most people making a study of the regulations. For instance, it is no longer permissible to carry a camera in an aeroplane, and even to go under an assumed name is to court arrest. To attempt to trade with an enemy subject is an offence, and under the Factory Emergency Regulations the Factory Controller may direct the occupier of a factory to cease, restrict or increase production. The distribution or use of any foodstuffs may be prohibited, and there is power to take possession of any foodstuffs, wherever situated in New Zealand.

Traders may be directed to deal only in any particular types, classes or qualities of foodstuffs, and to pack them in such packages or containers as may be directed. The Electricity Controller has the right of access to any premises, and the Mining Controller may direct the cessation or restriction of production of any mine or gasworks. It is forbidden to export goods without the permission of the Minister of Customs. The Public Trustee may take possession of all property belonging to a person or company declared to be an enemy. The Controller of Building may direct that constructional work of any kind be wholly stopped. It is forbidden to deal in wool. EVERY ACTIVITY AFFECTED.

Statutes, proclamations, declarations and regulations now in force in New Zealand, in consequence of the state of war, have been assembled in a useful handbook of emergency legislation, issued under the direction of the Attorney-General, the Hon. H. G. R. Mason. Many phases of national life are covered by the statutes and regulations, and it is only when the emergency legislation is presented in this compact form that one realises how war affects almost every activity.

Among the subjects embraced by the emergency regulations are censorship and publicity, price stabilisation, shipping control, control of aliens and enemy property. Oil fuel, sugar, wheat and flour, medical supplies, foodstuffs, timber and wool are among the commodities concerning which special regulations were necessary.

Special regulations were essential concerning factories, the detention of shipping, contraband, building, patriotic funds, strikes and lock-outs, the Licensing Act, occupational re-estab-lishment, passports, the machinery for a change of one’s name and the suspension of apprenticeship. Two statutes, the Public Safety Conservation Act, 1932, and the Emergency Regulations Act, 1939, are contained in the volume. It is explained in a prefatory note that emergency regulations enacted down to September 13th were made under the authority of the firstmentioned Act, but, as the limitations, scope and duration imposed by that statute were inappropriate to the circumstances, the Emergency Regulations Act, 1939, was passed. This validated regulations already made, gave them continuing force, and contained extended powers to make regulations. PREJUDICIAL INFORMATION. Perusal of the volume shows that the Government has extremely wide powers under the mass of legislation issued by Order-in-Council. Particularly stringent are the regulations regarding information likely to prejudice the public safety or the efficient prosecution of the war. There is a lengthy regulation relating to subversive reports. Under the Defence Emergency Regulations the Minister of Defence may authorise any action on, or in connection with, any land that he considers necessary or expedient for defence purposes. Apparently without asking anybody’s permission the military may construct works, pull down or alter or erect any building, fence, barricade or obstruction on anyone’s land, close roads or streets and divert or stop watercourses. Under these same wide powers it is an offence to obstruct or interfere with any official, and anyone so doing may be arrested without warrant, not only by the police, but by any officer or non-commissioned officer of the defence forces.

It is an offence to be a party to a strike or lock-out, or to encourage or procure such an industrial upset. Similarly it would be an offence under another set of regulations to take a photograph of any riotous or disorderly assembly. It is forbidden to take a photograph of any telegraph station! To take a photograph of an aeroplane—or the wreckage of a ’plane—is also banned.